Kirk Michael

Distance: This is a walk of 17 kilometres, about 11 miles.

Time: Approximately 6½ hours including stops.

It is for walkers only as parts of the route are not available for wheeled users. The route begins with a steady climb through Eairy Beg, crossing the Twelve Shares to Glion Gill. Follows the undulating forest road in and out of the young plantation to join the Cronk Breck bridleway at Governor Loch's Road. The route then follows the Greenway Road onto the Michael Hills at Sartfell. It then leaves the Greenway and follows an old track down to the boundary wall, following the wall to a disused reservoir at the foot of Slieau Freoaghane. From here there is a steep climb to rejoin the greenway road for the descent to Kirk Michael village.

Participants should be fit and capable of sustained cross country walking. Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear appropriate for the day should be worn. Sufficient food and water should be taken. The route is not waymarked on the ground, but a detailed map (1:50,000 scale) is available from our St John's office or can be downloaded from this page. Eight figure grid references for WayPoints (WPs) are listed below for GPS users.

Note that GPS reception can be variable within the lower parts of the Eairy Beg plantation. The distance between WayPoints is shown after each description.

Parking is available at Glen Helen car park (WP01 SC2950 8425)

From WP01 Go over small footbridge on south side of car park, continue through gate and turn left. 90 metres to

WP02 SC2951 8420 Follow the public footpath signs up hill, behind house, into plantation. 220m to

WP03 SC2965 8418 Following public footpath round to the right, stay on forest ride, gently up hill. 300m to